Quotes for fat cattle in NI remain unchanged this week, with a best of 632p/kg for U3 grade steers and 636p/kg for heifers.

The actual prices available remain well ahead of base quotes, with suppliers indicating that 656p/kg is available.

While numbers remain tight at present, there are concerns that more grass cattle will come forward in the coming weeks which could dampen the trade. However, in the live ring, prices for beef cattle at local marts remain very strong.

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In Ballymena, beef bullocks at 940kg made £3,478 or 370p/kg. Others made up to 434p/kg, with beef heifers at 610kg making £2,659 per head or 436p/kg.

The average price paid last week for a U-3 grade steer was 657.7p/kg, up 1.6p/kg on the previous week. The price for a U-3 grade heifer was also 657.7p/kg, which is no change.

However, across all steers and heifers, prices averaged 646.5p/kg, which is down 2.5p/kg on the week before.

Prior to that, average prices had been on the rise for six weeks in a row.

In the Republic of Ireland (ROI), factories are putting pressure on the beef trade, with threats of price cuts next week.

Bullocks are working off a €7.50/kg to €7.60/kg base price this week, which equates to 647p to 656p/kg in sterling and includes 5.1% VAT.

Heifers are on a base price of €7.70/kg (664p/kg).

The strong prices are reflected in import figures, with just 178 cattle coming into NI from the south for slaughter last week.

The figure is down slightly from 198 the week previous and remains well below the import levels seen earlier this year and in late 2024.

The beef trade in Britain is under some pressure, with reports that 10p/kg has been taken off prices this week.

Cows

Fat cow quotes at the NI plants are steady this week, ranging from 520p/kg to 540p/kg for an O+ cow.

In the marts, at Ballymena, a fat cow at 760kg made £3,207 or 422p/kg, with 820kg at £3,362 or 410p/kg.

Friesian cows at 570kg made £1,482 or 260p/kg, with 790kg at £2,006 or 254p/kg.

The average price paid last week for a good grade R3 cow was 574.4p/kg, up by 2.9p/kg.

NI sheep: quotes ease for lamb

Base quotes at the plants are easing, with a best quote of 680p/kg deadweight, making a lamb worth £142.80 at 21kg.

In the marts, prices for fat lambs have eased, but store lamb prices maintain a very strong trade.

Kilrea sold 1,350 lambs making from 631p to 706p/kg, down by 13p/kg. The top prices were paid for store lambs, with 706p/kg for 18kg at £127 and 687p for 19kg at £130.50.

Fat lambs at 24.5kg made 633p/kg or £155, with 23kg at £147 or 639p/kg. Lambs at 22kg made 650p/kg or £143, with 21kg at 638p/kg or £134.

Markethill had an easier trade, with 1,540 lambs making from 610p to 644p/kg, down by 10p/kg. Heavier sorts made 600p/kg for 28kg, with 593p/kg for 24.8kg.

Store lambs were a strong trade, with 843p/kg paid for 14kg at £118 and 800p/kg for 14.5kg at £116. Stronger stores made 721p/kg for 17.2kg.

In Saintfield, 875 lambs made from 590p to 685p/kg, down by 20p/kg. Very heavy Suffolks at 40kg sold for a whopping £262. Texels at 29kg made £180, with 28kg at £160 and 25kg at £152. Best lambs at 24kg made £145, with 22kg at £138/head. Stores at 17kg went for £120.

Fat ewes

The strong trade for fat ewes continues, with a top on Kilrea of £198.

In Markethill, the best ewes sold from £170 to £240, with plainer sorts from £100 to £160.

In Saintfield, the top was £220, with others from £160 to £212/head.